Four Tips for Staying Social and Connected in the Colder Months
Four Tips for Staying Social and Connected in the Colder Months
Written by Lily Thrope
With inclement weather, colder temperatures and the increased desire to stay inside, it can be hard to reach out and stay connected to friends and family. As a result, we may be missing out on essential social interaction. Withdrawal and isolation, particularly during the colder months, can negatively impact both our emotional and physical health. However, with a bit of planning, creativity, and commitment, you can maintain, even strengthen your social connections. See below for four tips on how to remain social and connected during colder times:
Volunteer. Especially in the wintertime, food banks and shelters seek volunteers. Consider extending a hand at a local soup kitchen or clothing drive. Volunteering in your community is a great way of getting out, staying connected and boosting self-esteem. If you don’t know where to start, consider using a website like Volunteer Match to find volunteering opportunities.
Utilize your technology. Zoom is not just for work calls; it can be a great way to connect with friends and family. You can use video platforms like Skype, Zoom and others to participate in an online hobby group, play a game or join a book club. Consider using a web browser extension, like Teleparty, to watch movies and TV with others. Utilizing technology in this way allows you to keep cozy at home while also staying connected.
Embrace the cold together. Wintertime does not have to be isolating. Use this time to lean into the winter weather. Try cold weather-specific activities like sledding, snow shoeing, skiing, ice skating or snowy nature walks. Engaging in these activities lets you embrace the crisp, sometimes gray winter months while being outdoors, and with others.
Use snail mail. Sending physical mail such as letters or postcards are great methods of connection, especially when you are feeling bored at home. It can also be very therapeutic: writing allows you to slow down, reflect, and express your emotions in a way that is both grounding and comforting and at the same time, writing to others encourages sharing ideas and communicating, even if you are hibernating!
Staying socially connected during winter might require a bit more effort, but it’s worth it to maintain our mental well-being and nurture relationships. If you find that you are struggling more than usual to stay connected during the colder months, consider speaking to a mental health professional. It's not considered a weakness to prioritize your own mental health, take care of yourself, and ask for support; rather, it's an acknowledgment to yourself that providing care can be challenging and that we can't always do it alone.
Right now at Thrope Therapy we offer both in-person and virtual sessions. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or inquiries at hello@thropetherapy.com.
